Are you feeling the pressure and busyness of Easter? It’s easy to feel the pinch of (sometimes grandiose!) expectations when it comes to children’s Easter egg hunts, Easter hat parades, perfect Easter outfits, family gatherings, church responsibilities, and so on. And yet, just like Christmas, so many of these Easter-time obligations have little to do with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago.
A number of years ago my pastor husband would counsel people to ask the question ‘Where is Jesus for you? Is He near or is He far?’ This proved a great exercise in encouraging both Christians and non-Christians to become more Jesus aware, in the midst of the at-times frantic pace and pain of life.
So, amid all the busyness of this important Easter season, I encourage us to take a moment. Switch off the phone. Be still. Close your eyes. Breathe. Focus on God. Listen for His voice. And ask yourself: where is Jesus for me? Is He near? Can I feel a sense of His presence with me, near my heart? Is He further away, His voice a gentle echo, pleading to draw near? Or does He seem very far away, silenced by the distractions of a mile-long to-do list, and all the worries it entails?
Invite Him closer. The Bible says in James 4.8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
Remember He loves you. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5.8)
Remember nothing can separate us from His love. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8.38-39)
Remember you are forgiven. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1.9)
Remember God does not condemn us. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8.1)
Remember that God’s plans are good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8.28)
And breathe. Bathe in His promises, the assurance found in the Bible. Allow His Word to impact your heart, your soul, your mind. Remember that Jesus died on that cross and rose again to set us free, free from sin, free from the world’s measure of what’s good enough, we’ve been set free so our lives can be used by God for His glory.
And let us be thankful for all that Jesus has done. This Easter season, and every season in our lives.
Carolyn Miller is an Australian author of inspirational historical fiction, including The Elusive Miss Ellison, Winning Miss Winthrop, and the newly-released A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh. Connect with her at www.carolynmillerauthor.com | facebook | instagram
